Are Your Buyer Clients Being Priced Out of the Real Estate Market? Don’t Give up

If we listen to the media reports, with the recent spate of mortgage rate hikes, first-time buyers and others on tight budgets are getting priced out of the market.

Or, so they think.

Even though fixers aren’t as rock-bottom cheap as in the past, they can still present value to this pool of buyers. 

If you haven’t brushed up on the various loan programs out there for fixers, let’s take care of right now with a quick look at the two most popular: FHA’s 203(k) loan and Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle® Renovation Mortgage. 

.FHA 203(k) 

If you haven’t had an opportunity to work with FHA rehab-loan buyers recently, there are a few changes you may not be familiar with.

The FHA 203(k) product, for instance, has new names for its two tiers:

• The 203(k) Full loan is now known as the 203(k) Standard.
• The 203k Streamline is now known as the 203k Limited.

Along with the new names came some small changes to each product. For instance, “Repairing or removing an in-ground swimming pool is allowed on both 203k Standard and 203K Limited with no dollar limitation as to bid amount,” according to the pros at Amerifirst Home Mortgage.

Other notable changes include:

• The 203(k) Standard now allows for foundation work to take place even when the home isn’t going to be razed.
• The Limited program now requires that the buyer submit a work plan wherein “… one or more contractors will provide the cost estimate or bids.”

Other changes were also made, and you can review them at Amerifirst Home Mortgage’s website.

Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle® Renovation Mortgage is a conventional loan backed by the GSE. The advantage this presents for your struggling clients is that “As a government agency, Fannie Mae exists to help make housing more affordable to mid- to low-income borrowers …” and those with “… poor credit histories and scores,” claims Lauren Bowling at Rocketmortgage.com.

This product is also ideal for those clients seeking a multi-unit home, such as a duplex, triplex, or quadplex, Bowling adds.

Naturally, there is a lot more to learn about these loan products, and you’ll find this information online at:

• HUD.gov
• Fanniemae.com
• Contourmortgage.com
• USLendingcompany.com

---

PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.

1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine

Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts combined with engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you. Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card! – Click Here

2. The Free 12-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

3. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

4. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here

---